Tourists are increasingly shunning Greece's renowned destinations, namely the islands of Mykonos and Santorini, due to their exorbitant prices and the search for better value for money. These islands have experienced a significant decline in tourist traffic, with visitors expressing disappointment and stating that they would not choose to visit again.
The statistics back up these claims, as flight traffic to Santorini has dropped by 22% compared to 2019, and Mykonos has also seen a 20% decrease in traffic. Both islands, known for their luxurious accommodations, entertainment, and dining options, are now facing a starkly different reality.
"It is true that we haven't seen the expected movement so far. There is definitely a significant decline that affects businesses on the island as a whole," informs us the team of kinglikeconcierge.com, one of the largest villa rental agencies on Mykonos.
The prevailing opinion among high-end tourists is that Mykonos and Santorini are capitalizing on Greece's booming tourism industry. However, visitors argue that the beauty of these destinations does not justify the exorbitant prices. In comparison, they highlight the affordability and variety of other destinations such as Turkey, Spain, and Morocco.
This situation has arisen due to the islands' own actions, experts claim. By raising prices excessively, they have discouraged Greek tourists from visiting and have become exclusive destinations for foreigners. Unfortunately, even foreigners are now hesitant to pay such exorbitant amounts.
“The fall is, of course, also due to the fact that these two islands, which are the heavy artillery of Greek high-luxury tourism, have long since become forbidden places for Greek tourists, who are not there to cover the gap in traffic since they choose other Greek or even foreign cheaper destinations, ” Mega TV Live News magazine reported on Wednesday.
Other Greek islands are now emerging as alternatives, offering holidays for various budgets. In contrast, Mykonos, in particular, has experienced skyrocketing prices in accommodation, restaurants, clubs, and other services.
Additionally, Greece's tourism industry faces tough competition from countries like Turkey, Portugal, and Albania. These destinations offer more favourable exchange rates and appeal to tourists who are less concerned about the specific location and more focused on enjoying the sun and sea.
Despite the current challenges, Mykonos and Santorini have not participated in the "social tourism subsidy state program," further indicating the arrogance and confidence of tourism entrepreneurs on these islands.
Overall, the turnover for Mykonos and Santorini in April and May 2023 has experienced a significant decline of 15% to 20%.
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